BOOM! STUDIOS

Robocop #1

Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Carlos Magno

From the opening “I'd buy that for a dollar!” line, it's clear that this is our 1987 Robocop. The story is simple. An ex con, in prison when Robocop enters the world, is released and wants his streets back. It's a story that not only fits into the Robocop world but also shows off the great storytelling ability of Joshua Williamson. Carlos Magno's art is ugly in a good way because it brings a gritty, violent look to Detroit that's completely in line with the Robocop movie. Robocop has not had that great of luck when it comes to an ongoing series, but with this debut, the future is definitely bright. -Jess

Final Score:

8.0

IDW PUBLISHING

Dexter’s Laboratory #4

Written by Derek Fridolfs | Drawn by Ryan Jampole

IDW’s Dexter revival comes to a close with this issue, as Dexter is forced to accept the idea that he loves and needs his pesky sister Dee Dee, and maybe banishing her to another dimension isn’t such a great idea. Speak for yourself, Dexter. It’s a nice, uncharacteristically sweet way to wrap up a Dexter adventure. The writing gets a little sappy as Dexter reaches his profound realization. But there’s enough humor and zaniness to offset the sappy stuff. Visually, the issue is held back a bit by the overabundance of pink and the lack of background details. It throws off the perspective and sense of movement when floors and walls start blending together. -Jesse

Final Score:

7.2

IMAGE COMICS

East of West #13

Written by Jonathan Hickman | Drawn by Nick Dragotta

Rather than attempt to juggle the demands of an ever-growing cast, Jonathan Hickman seems intent on only focusing on one plot thread in each issue of east of West. This time Hickman finally returns to Death and his minions after leaving them hanging in issue #10. The result is a very violent, exciting, and action-packed script. However, the more mystical material involving Wolf and Crow gets bogged down by an overabundance of dialogue in what should be a more visually-oriented sequence. But at least Nick Dragotta continues to impress with a combination of dynamic storytelling and striking design work. -Jesse

Final Score:

7.5

Hack/Slash: Son of Samhain #1

Written by Michael Moreci & Steve Seeley | Drawn by Emilio Laiso

Tim Seeley’s Hack/Slash was always underappreciated in its original run. Under its gorey, T&A-centric surface was an immensely smart comic with great character work and interesting things to say about slasher fiction. It was a bummer to see it end a while back. Luckily, Hack/Slash is back in full force this week. Under the command of new writers Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley as well as artist Emilio Laiso, Cassie Hack makes her return in a book that feels distinct from the original series while maintaining the same spirit. Son of Samhain takes place in the American West, which is appropriate. Moreci and Seeley seem to have taken plenty of cues from classic westerns like Unforgiven and The Wild Bunch, with Cassie Hack as the former gunslinger dragged back into the game for one last job. The art by Laiso isn’t the strongest, but is one of the better efforts made on this series. It seems that a short break and a changing of the guard was all Cassie Hack needed to come back in full force. -Tres

Final Score:

8.0

Lazarus #9

Written by Greg Rucka | Drawn by Michael Lark

Lazarus' latest chapter sees the end of the book's Lift arc, Forever racing to find the hidden bomber as Michael and Casey go through Lift selection. At this point, creators Greg Rucka and Michael Lark are completely comfortable in the dystopian world they've created -- though on the slower side, issue #9 is a prime example of how freeing creator owned books can be. Forever's opening rite of passage is given a fair amount of page time, but that's Lazarus -- Rucka never seems willing to sacrifice story in the name of speed, giving his characters, Family and Waste alike, the full attention he feels they deserve. Though the ending is a bit abrupt, the finale is no less tense, Lark again bringing the World to gritty, dangerous life. Little touches, from the Carlyle propaganda posters to the anti-Family graffiti, complete the effect, conveying a world that's as striking as it is plausible. If you're a fan of high concept drama and expansive world building, Lazarus remains a top pick. -Jeff

Final Score:

8.4

Morning Glories #39

Written by Nick Spencer | Drawn by Joe Eisma

For the last few months, writer Nick Spencer and artist Joe Eisma have given us a closer look at some of the Truants. It was well done character development, but it wasn't doing much to progress the bigger story. This month, Spencer rectifies this by bringing the focus back to Casey and Hodge, the best storyline in the whole series, as well as the most important. Revelations and a surprise for Casey make this an immediate re-read. If Morning Glories #39 is any indication of where this arc is going, then it will be truly unforgettable. -Jess

Final Score:

8.8

Nailbiter #3

Written by Joshua Williamson | Drawn by Mike Henderson

Considering that Edward Charles Warren is the book's title character, we've seen very little of the digit devouring deviant thus far. Joshua Williamson pulls back the curtain a bit more here in issue #3, attempting to paint the "retired" killer as a persecuted and (almost) sympathetic figure. In doing so, Williamson loses some of the mystique that made Warren so interesting in the first place -- the killer has thus far seemed above it all, teasing in his denials, but here he just comes off as a pawn. It's become readily apparent that there's quite a bit going on behind the scenes, but the book's continued push towards set pieces and scares have left some characters feeling a tad underused. Finch's investigation is taking him to some creepy places, but we still know hardly anything about him, a shame considering his riveting introduction. That's not to say the book doesn't have its thrills -- the morgue sequence is genuinely suspenseful, and the book's final pages offer an intriguing host of new possibilities. Still, the book's razor sharp narrative doesn't feel quite so tight this go round, killers seemingly popping out of the woodwork at rather opportune times. Nailbiter is still very, very good -- we've just gotten used to it being great. -Jeff

Final Score:

7.5

Southern Bastards #3

Written by Jason Aaron | Drawn by Jason Latour

The year is just over its halfway point and there are plenty of titles that have yet to debut, but to predict that Jasons Aaron and Latour’s Southern Bastards will end up being the best series of the year doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch. Issue 3 continues the unbelievable hot streak that this series is on and shows no sign of slowing down. The storytelling craft is impeccable. Everything here is perfect, from the raw character work to the almost monochromatic color pallet. The series’ third installment may be its best so far. The reader finally sees what sort of man protagonist Earl Tubb has been his entire life. More importantly though, we see what kind of man he may become now that he has returned to Craw County. This is shown to us through the flawless marriage of art and story from Aaron, Latour, and letterer Jared K. Fletcher. Three issues in and it has become clear: Southern Bastards is amazing comics. -Tres

Final Score:

9.8

VALIANT COMICS

Quantum and Woody #12

Written by James Asmus | Drawn by Wilfredo Torres

Structurally, the latest hijinks filled chapter of Quantum and Woody is a bit of a mess. With three artists, a kids-menu style origin tale and a whole lot of storyline to tie up, issue #12 doesn’t stumble out of the gate as much as plow through it. Luckily, writer James Asmus embraces (and cleverly acknowledges) the book’s hurdles, delivering a fittingly oddball finale that’s as satisfying as it is ridiculous. Fans of the series will find yet another humorous, rapid-banter filled outing that tests tired tropes with a wink and a nod. Asmus has proved time and again to be a wizard of a wordsmith, and though at times his gags threaten to overpower the narrative, it’s never anything less than entertaining. While not everything is wrapped up neatly, the writer does a solid job settling the brother’s affairs, ably setting the stage for their upcoming crossover with the similarly bumbling Archer and Armstrong. Expect shenanigans, and lots of them. -Jeff